''Pal Joey'' 1957 - art by Boris Grinsson
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Pal Joey'' 1957 - art by Boris Grinsson
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster reprint of ''Pal Joey'',a 1957 American musical comedy film directed by George Sidney and starring Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and Kim Novak. The film is an adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name, which itself was based on a series of short stories by John O'Hara.
The story revolves around Joey Evans, played by Frank Sinatra, a charming but morally dubious nightclub singer and emcee. Joey arrives in San Francisco with dreams of becoming a successful nightclub owner. He becomes involved with two women: Linda English, played by Kim Novak, a sweet and innocent chorus girl, and Vera Simpson, portrayed by Rita Hayworth, a wealthy and sophisticated widow.
"Pal Joey" is characterized by its witty and often risqué humor, as well as its memorable musical numbers. Frank Sinatra's performance as Joey showcases his singing and charisma, and the film features several songs, including "I Could Write a Book" and "The Lady Is a Tramp," which have become classic standards.
Rita Hayworth's portrayal of Vera Simpson is a highlight, and her character adds a layer of sophistication and complexity to the film. Kim Novak's performance as Linda provides a contrast to Vera and adds to the romantic tension in the story.
The film explores themes of ambition, love, and the pursuit of success in the entertainment industry. Joey's character is morally ambiguous, and the film does not shy away from depicting the darker aspects of his personality.
"Pal Joey" received positive reviews upon its release and was noted for its entertaining musical numbers and the performances of its cast. The film's adaptation of the Broadway musical retained many of the original songs and added a touch of Hollywood glamour.
While "Pal Joey" may not be as well-remembered as some other musicals of its era, it remains a charming and entertaining classic that showcases the talents of its stars, particularly Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Kim Novak. The film's blend of music, humor, and romance has earned it a place in the annals of Hollywood's musical history.
About the artist:
Boris Grinsson (1907, Pskov, Russia, - 1999, Paris) was a designer of Russian origin who lived and worked in France. For about 30 years of his career, from the 1940s to the 1970s, he painted more than 2000 posters for the French cinema circuit, becoming extremely popular among film directors.
After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Estonia, where the family moved to escape the Russian Revolution, the artist reached Berlin and enrolled in Decorative Arts. Grinsson immediately started working in cinema at the UFA studios in Balberg and soon began designing posters for the Paramount and MGM. He worked among the many directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, Luis Buñuel, Billy Wilder, Alain Resnais, and Luchino Visconti.
His designs were also particularly controversial. In 1932 he drew a polemic caricature of Adolf Hitler. As a result, he was forced to move to Paris to escape the Nazi regime. Nevertheless, he continued to create the French versions of many famous movie posters in France.
Grinsson’s painting style for posters is characterized by his peculiar treatment of colors. If compared with the style of Italian designers, for example, his portraits appear somewhat schematic. Rather than using strong contrasts between light and shadow, Grinsson
modulated his figures with bold flat planes of colors and cool and defined outlines.
His posters often look like works of modern art rather than traditional sketches. Even the color palette is somewhat restricted, preferring different shades of yellows, greens, blues. However, the chromatic and formal restriction of Grinsson’s style is not to be seen as a limitation but as a legacy of the lithography technique that dominated German design until the early 1960s. A historical and peculiar element that distinguishes its very different and endless production.
Search “Grinsson” to see more of his art.
Uploaded
April 24th, 2021
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